Texas Tech @ #4 Baylor

Monday, March 2nd 8:00 PM CT, ESPN

#4 Baylor (25-3, 14-2) really needs to win this game. Not because they need to worry about making it in the tournament (although a win here would help them in their goal of locking up a one seed), but just purely to regain confidence and momentum. The Bears seemed a bit lacksadalsicle down the stretch against TCU (also Desmond Bane got more hot than any player has against Baylor this season). The Bears couldn’t buy a shot down the stretch, so Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, and company will need to reacquire their shot. Getting back on track in the last two conference games before the tournament is huge for Baylor to feel good entering post-season play. They host Texas Tech (18-11, 9-7) who will also be desperate for a big win after a disappointing loss at home to Texas. I like Baylor to pick up a home win here, hopefully with some style.

68-61 Baylor

West Virginia @ Iowa State

Tuesday, March 3rd 8:00 PM CT, ESPNU

I’ve written this the last four or so previews, but West Virginia (19-10, 7-9) REALLY, REALLY, REALLY needs a win here. They have only one win in their last seven games. Iowa State (12-17, 5-11) continued its streak of home wins and road losses with a win against TCU and then a loss at Oklahoma State. Well they’ve got a down West Virginia back at home. If both of these teams’ trends hold, Iowa State should win this game. And I’ll go with that, West Virginia’s woes continue in Ames.

71-68 Iowa State

Texas @ Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 3rd 8:00 PM CT, ESPN2

Texas (18-11, 8-8) and Oklahoma (18-11, 8-8) are both riding recent highs coming into the second installation of the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma stopped their string of losses with back-to-back wins over Top 25 teams Texas Tech and West Virginia. Texas actually beat those exact same teams this week as well and are on a four game winning streak. Oklahoma won the last meeting between these two in Austin. While it has been a while since that first meeting, I still think Oklahoma has the ability to beat Texas, especially at home.

64-60 Oklahoma

TCU @ #1 Kansas

Wednesday, March 4th 7:00 PM CT, ESPN+

#1 Kansas (26-3, 15-1) secured sole possession of first in the conference thanks to the Horned Frogs. Now they are the ones that have to face TCU (16-13, 7-9). TCU was able to beat Baylor at home for two reasons: Desmond Bane absolutely lighting it up in the last eight minutes or so and Baylor’s offense dying entirely down the stretch. While Kansas had its own struggles against Kansas State, that was a road rivalry game. This is a home game against a team that only scored 46 points in their last meeting. Baylor fans would really appreciate TCU returning the favor and beating Kansas, but I don’t really see that happening.

73-61 Kansas

Kansas State @ Oklahoma State

Wednesday, March 4th 8:00 PM CT, ESPNU

So Kansas State (9-20, 2-14) actually put up a pretty decent fight against Kansas. Still, they have done little to show that that kind of success is sustainable. Oklahoma State (15-14, 5-11) maintained its poise at home with a win over Iowa State. Hosting Kansas State should be a similar situation where I would expect the Cowboys to come away with another win. That won’t do a whole lot for them in terms of the NCAA Tournament but it could help them with the NIT if that’s where they end up in the postseason.

68-63 Oklahoma State

Overall Prediction Record

63-27 (70.0%)